Leonardo da Vinci's DNA may have been identified in a chalk drawing

Researchers report Y‑chromosome fragments from a red chalk drawing and related family letters that belong to haplogroup E1b1b linked to Tuscany, and they present the results in a BioRxiv preprint while cautioning the match is not yet conclusive.

A team from the Leonardo da Vinci DNA Project reports finding human Y‑chromosome fragments in material swabbed from a red chalk drawing titled "Holy Child" and in letters associated with a known da Vinci cousin. The results were presented in a preprint on the BioRxiv server and the detected Y‑chromosome segments belong to haplogroup E1b1b, a lineage linked to Tuscany. Sampling used a minimally invasive swab taken in April 2024, and the authors emphasize the findings are suggestive but not yet conclusive. The work is presented as an exploration of how genetic traces in cultural artifacts might inform provenance and authentication. Key findings: - Y‑chromosome fragments consistent with haplogroup E1b1b were detected in both the drawing sample and the family letters. - Samples originated from a red chalk drawing called "Holy Child" and correspondence attributed to a known relative of Leonardo da Vinci. - Roughly 99 percent of recovered DNA was nonhuman (bacteria, fungi and plants), reflecting environmental and handling history. - Nonhuman sequences included Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) and Plasmodium fragments, which the authors say align with species present in Renaissance Tuscany. - The researchers obtained a 23andMe saliva profile linked to the late collector Fred Kline and used it to exclude his contribution to the human DNA on the drawing. - Authors report composite human DNA profiles that indicate multiple handlers and state further sampling and validation are required. Summary: If validated, the authors say this method could add genetic evidence to studies of provenance and authentication for historical artworks. The team calls for additional sampling and hopes to gain access to more drawings and letters for further validation. Undetermined at this time.