He was photographed, interviewed through interpreters, described in detail.

His image appeared on postcards and souvenirs.

The paradox — dangerous savage and celebrity curiosity — was managed by the American press and public through a selective attention that could hold both images without resolving the contradiction.

The actual person, the actual history, the actual injustice of his captivity — these were less interesting, or less convenient, than the mythologized version.

The skull mystery, in its contemporary form, carries this history.

Geronimo is famous enough that a question about his missing skull generates international news coverage.