What role did the colonizing spaniards play in the long process of understanding the maya?

Despite their role in the conquest, colonization and exploitation of Indian peoples in Mesoamerica,  Spanish officials, priests and travelers are one of the most important sources of knowledge about the old cultures of the pre-Hispanic era. They wrote chronicles and history books and other documents describing Mayan codices, architectural works, hieroglyphs and some customs and even Mayan legends or myths.

Explanation:

the roman army grew in size and became dominant in the mediterranean region.