It has been confirmed that the human remains entombed in Sevilla cathedral definitely belonged to Christopher Columbus. José Antonio Lorente, who led the investigation team from the Genetic Identification Laboratory, said yesterday that DNA tests carried out on the incomplete skeleton left no room for doubt that they are of the famous explorer.

Mr Lorente went on to explain that he and his team have been waiting for a year and a half to receive permission to carry out similar analyses on remains in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, which are also claimed to be Columbus's.

While it is "certain" that the Sevilla cathedral remains are authentic, only about 15% of the skeleton was found, and it is possible that part of the corpse was taken to the island he discovered to be buried there.

It is believed that the 'Admiral of the Ocean' was first buried in Sevilla, then dug up and taken to Valladolid from where they were returned to Sevilla in 1795, when the body was divided up so that his remains could be laid to rest on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

The photo shows Columbus's tomb in Sevilla cathedral.