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Leonardo da Vinci's DNA Reconstruction Project Advances Significantly

9/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Leonardo DNA Project nears reconstructing Leonardo da Vinci's 500-year-old DNA.
A paternal line dating to 1331 has been confirmed, advancing the resting-place search.
The work could enable sequencing da Vinci's genome and reconstructing his likeness.
Preliminary results indicate at least one male remains; genealogists identified 15 male descendants, and excavation is underway led by University of Florence anthropologists.

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Story summary

The Leonardo DNA Project nears reconstructing Leonardo da Vinci's 500-year-old DNA.
A paternal line dating to 1331 has been confirmed, advancing the resting-place search.
The work could enable sequencing da Vinci's genome and reconstructing his likeness.
Preliminary results indicate at least one male remains; genealogists identified 15 male descendants, and excavation is underway led by University of Florence anthropologists.