Prehistoric Collections
The prehistoric collections include stone tools, bone artifacts, and archaic ceramics from Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Eneolithic settlements in the Tuscan territory.
The lithic tools from the Sienese hills document the hunting techniques and stone working of the first human communities. The decorated ceramics testify to the evolution of the first forms of craftsmanship and domestic production.
The finds allow us to reconstruct fundamental aspects of daily life: nutrition, productive activities, rituals, and forms of settlement.
Classical Archaeology
The collections of Classical Archaeology include Etruscan, Greek, and Roman materials from excavations in southern Tuscany and other Mediterranean sites.
Among the finds are black-figure ceramics, lamps, balsamari, votive objects, and small bronzes that illustrate the daily life and religious practices of ancient civilizations.
The architectural and decorative elements help to understand the evolution of art and architecture between the archaic period and the late Roman Empire, while the materials testify to the intensity of trade in the ancient Mediterranean.
Medieval Archaeology
The Medieval Archaeology section is among the richest in Italy, thanks to the pioneering role of the University of Siena in this discipline.
The medieval and Renaissance ceramics document the evolution of production techniques and decorative styles between the Early Middle Ages and the Fifteenth Century. The metal, glass, and bone objects tell the story of daily life in castles, in villages, and in Tuscan cities.
The finds from the urban excavations of Siena provide a direct testimony of medieval urban life: dishes, coins, personal items, tools, and building materials.
Overall Path
The combination of the three collections offers a continuous reading of the history of the Sienese territory, showing the evolution of human communities, technologies, and artistic forms over time
