The documentary heritage of the University of Siena, now present in the offices of the various sections of the Department of Historical Sciences and Cultural Heritage, includes collections that have been formed in the course of over thirty years of research and investigation in Tuscany, Italy and all 'abroad. To the archaeological collections in the strict sense are added the didactic materials in the form of replicas, casts, copies concerning artistic productions and manifestations. The archeology collections, currently in temporary storage in the Department's laboratories, consist of finds found during field research activities (excavations and reconnaissance) and educational collections, panels, reproductions and replicas. The heritage includes artifacts in stone, ceramics, metals and glass, coins, frescoes, fauna, paleobotanical and anthropological finds; some sets constitute thematic collections in a chronological, cultural sense or by archaeological site.

The most consistent collections are related to the collections of ceramic productions of various civilizations of the ancient world, from prehistory to the Renaissance, coming mainly from Tuscany; in fact, they are closely linked to the research activity which takes place mainly in the region. The Museum System of the University of Siena (SIMUS) represents the tangible result of centuries of study and research in the Sienese territory. The System constitutes a sum of the evolution of thought, not only scientific, through collections of tools, artifacts, didactic models, relics and archival documents. Thanks to the passionate commitment of researchers and university staff, these museums still constitute an effective teaching tool for teaching and disseminating knowledge.