Christopher Columbus was Polish, not Italian, claims new book, and kept his identity a secret; by Corky Siemaszko & Christina Boyle. Mamma Mia! A new book claims Christopher Columbus was Polish - not Italian. New research suggests the man credited with discovering America was actually the son of exiled Polish King Vladislav III - and not the son of a humble craftsman from Genoa.

Manuel Rosa, who works in Duke University's IT department, delves into the historical figure's background in his biography "Columbus: The Untold Story." "I spent my first 10 years of investigation trying to confirm the current story of the Genoese wool-weaver, until I understood...that the Genoese wool-weaver story is a fable," Rosa wrote in an email to the Daily News. "For the first time in this 500-year-old puzzle, we are at the doors of truth."

Rosa's book claims Columbus was only able to convince the King of Spain to fund the journey that discovered America because he was royalty himself. But he reportedly wanted to keep his real heritage a secret to protect his father. Rosa's theories have raised some eyebrows, and historian Martin Dugard said there are enough questions about Columbus' roots to make this new theory plausible - but he's reserving judgement.

"Do I think Columbus could be descended from Polish royalty? Maybe," he said."If it's true, and the DNA backs it up, it would make one hell of a great story." Not to mention a lot of angry Italians.

Columbus was Polish