Abstract
Chiapas and Central America during the colonial period (16th century) were the backdrop that motivated New Yorker Sidney David Markman to undertake the historical research that would give rise to a work of major importance. Markman —a researcher, historian, lecturer, and academic, with a masters degree in art and a doctorate in archaeology— is the author of a detailed study of the planning and architecture of this epoch and these places. Mention is also made of the towns inhabited by both Spaniards and Central American native peoples during the colonial period. The high point of Markman's creativity is the space he gives over to proposals for conserving artistic expressions as part of a great cultural legacy.