They are simultaneously biographical objects, historical artifacts, family belongings, and subjects of scientific study.

The different frameworks through which they can be understood are not always compatible.

From a museum curation standpoint, they are objects with significant historical and cultural importance that have been studied and preserved for academic and educational purposes.

From a scientific standpoint, the hair is a biological sample from a historically significant individual.

From the family’s standpoint, they are their ancestor’s possessions — objects that were taken from him without authorization and that were rightfully theirs all along.

The family’s framework is the one that the repatriation process eventually recognized as controlling.