Overview

• The Leonardo DNA Project has confirmed shared Y-chromosome markers among six living male-line descendants of Leonardo da Vinci’s family, tracing the lineage back 15 generations to 1331.
• Excavations at Vinci’s Church of Santa Croce have unearthed remains believed to belong to da Vinci’s grandfather and half-brothers, now undergoing genetic analysis to verify connections to modern descendants.
• The project aims to recover Leonardo’s Y chromosome and reconstruct his genetic profile to explore potential biological factors behind his extraordinary talents and health.
• A newly attributed charcoal drawing, dubbed the 'Unicorn Dragon,' has been discovered in Vinci and is undergoing art-historical analysis and restoration, possibly linking it to Leonardo’s early works.
• The findings, detailed in the book 'Genìa Da Vinci,' integrate genealogical, genetic, and historical research, advancing understanding of da Vinci’s legacy and cultural heritage.