Museums as well as other public and private institutions in Portugal and abroad, have collections of a diversified nature assembled during the 20th century in the former Portuguese colonies. Several important collections of archaeological and ethnological objects as well as photographs and documents from Mozambique are known today through scientific papers, publications and exhibitions promoted either by public or private initiatives. However, there are still a number of unknown collections that not only are important vehicles of information regarding the regions and peoples of Mozambique but also provide an important contribution for a better understanding of its history.
The Collection of the Anthropological Mission of Mozambique (AMM), gathered between 1936 and 1956, is an example of the importance of these collections.