Stéphane Guillaume Frédéric Breitwieser was introduced to his passion for pottery shards, tile fragments, and arrowheads during childhood expeditions to medieval ruins with his grandfather.
His grandfather sparked his fascination in the field, leading him to collect and store his finds in a blue plastic box at home.
Breitwieser was a socially awkward and anxious individual with a deep love for antiques and an aversion to modern tendencies like digital entertainment and increased connectivity.
His father was a stern and demanding figure, pushing him to tough physical jobs which he abhorred, adding to his rebellious nature and amplifying tension within the family.
The tension culminated in his parents' divorce when he finished high school; his father took all the antique collections from the house, leaving Breitwieser with a sense of abandonment.
Breitwieser grew increasingly delinquent, indulging in shoplifting, and having aggressive encounters with police officers leading to arrests and therapy.
He battled depression, lack of a stable job, and a longing for antique items—stealing an ancient belt buckle from the Mulhouse History Museum where he briefly worked as a security guard.
Despite his overall discontentment with society and people, Breitwieser fell in love with a girl, marking an unexpected twist in his solitary and troubled life.