Researchers have identified six living male-line descendants of Leonardo da Vinci by tracing his family tree over 21 generations, dating back to 1331. The research includes more than 400 individuals and confirms shared Y chromosomes through genetic testing. This breakthrough aids efforts to reconstruct da Vinci’s genome and verify the authenticity of his remains. Excavations in Vinci, Italy, are currently underway to support these findings, and shed new light on the Renaissance master’s ancestry and legacy.
Leonardo da Vinci’s achievements are so numerous and prolific that it is difficult to narrow them down to the most important ones. It is safe to say that if da Vinci had not existed, the world would be a different place. Not only did he paint some of the most important works of art ever created, but he also extensively contributed to the fields of engineering and anatomy.
From the way the heart works to the first flying machine, click through to learn about da Vinci’s life and achievements.