Researchers from the Leonardo da Vinci DNA Project (LDVP) claim to have extracted some Y chromosome DNA sequences that appear to belong to a genetic group of people with common ancestors in Tuscany, where the renowned Renaissance master was born. The study analyzed the drawing of 'Holy Child' and other Renaissance artifacts, including letters written by a da Vinci relative. According to the researchers, these artifacts accumulated DNA from the environment, which could provide valuable information about the individuals who created and handled them.
The LDVP team employed an extremely gentle swabbing method to collect biological material from the historical artifacts without damaging or contaminating them. They extracted small amounts of DNA, yielding nonhuman DNA as well as sparse male-specific human DNA signals in some samples.
Their analysis revealed that the researchers found a closest match within the E1b1b lineage on the Y chromosome, which is now commonly found in southern Europe, Africa, and parts of the Middle East. The team believes that this could be evidence that Leonardo da Vinci himself contributed to the DNA sample.
However, scientists acknowledge that verifying the genetic sequences of the artifacts by comparing them with confirmed samples from da Vinci's family or other historical records is extremely challenging due to lack of direct descendants and damage to his burial site in the 19th century.
The LDVP team employed an extremely gentle swabbing method to collect biological material from the historical artifacts without damaging or contaminating them. They extracted small amounts of DNA, yielding nonhuman DNA as well as sparse male-specific human DNA signals in some samples.
Their analysis revealed that the researchers found a closest match within the E1b1b lineage on the Y chromosome, which is now commonly found in southern Europe, Africa, and parts of the Middle East. The team believes that this could be evidence that Leonardo da Vinci himself contributed to the DNA sample.
However, scientists acknowledge that verifying the genetic sequences of the artifacts by comparing them with confirmed samples from da Vinci's family or other historical records is extremely challenging due to lack of direct descendants and damage to his burial site in the 19th century.
Da Vinci was like, a genius and all, but what if he wasn't just creating masterpieces with his own hands? what if he's actually connected to some ancient bloodline or something? 
those E1b1b DNA signals are freaky cool but also kinda suspicious... i mean, why would the researchers think da Vinci himself contributed the DNA? is it possible that they're covering up some truth? 
and can we talk about how gentle the swabbing method was lol it's like they didn't want to disturb anything. i need more info on this tho, its all a bit too good (or bad?) to be true 
also, 19th century dammage to his burial site is a major setback 
hope they find ways to verify those DNA sequences tho 
. But seriously, I love how they used a super gentle method so they didn't mess up the artifacts 
. The idea that da Vinci might've left his genetic legacy behind is pretty cool 
.
Still, it's fun to imagine that maybe, just maybe, we're related to a Renaissance master 
.
and another thing, if da vinci did contribute to the sample, doesn't that just prove he was from that region and not some other part of europe where his art is super famous?