Archaeologist, former Chief of the National Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu

Archaeologist Jose Bastante is the former Chief of the National Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu, with completed studies in Cultural Heritage Management and doctoral studies in Social Sciences, specializing in History, at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Active member of leading professional institutions, including the Board of Directors of ICOMOS Peru. His academic and professional work focuses on archaeology, heritage conservation, cultural site management, research coordination, and sustainable tourism planning.

He has an extensive publication and conference record and has served as co-editor of the volumes Machupicchu: Investigaciones Interdisciplinarias (2020) and Machu Picchu in Context (Springer, 2022). He has represented Peru in international academic events, fellowships, and training programs, collaborating with institutions and specialists from the United States, Mexico, Chile, Poland, Ecuador, Indonesia, Italy, and Switzerland.

Between 2013 and 2023, he served as Director of the Archaeological and Interdisciplinary Research Program in the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu. Between 2019 and 2022, he was Chief of the National Archaeological Park of Machupicchu, where he strengthened preservation and cultural management strategies focused on the site’s Outstanding Universal Value. Between 2023 and 2025, he directed the Archaeological and Interdisciplinary Research Program of the Monumental Archaeological Complex of Kuélap. Since April 2025, he has served as Projects Director at the World Monuments Fund Peru.

His professional trajectory has also been recognized by the Professional Association of Archaeologists of Peru, which awarded him the Recognition Diploma for Archaeologist Researchers in 2019, the Honor Diploma in 2021, and the Special Award for Scientific Merit in 2024. His contributions to research and conservation in Machu Picchu have also been acknowledged in the field of biodiversity: in 2021, the orchid species Masdevallia bastantei, described from Machu Picchu, was named in his honor.