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

Archaeologist José Bastante is a leading specialist in cultural heritage management, archaeological research, and the conservation of historic sites in Peru. A former Chief of the National Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu, he has completed studies in Cultural Heritage Management and doctoral studies in Social Sciences, specializing in History, at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Board of Directors of ICOMOS Peru.

Throughout his career, José has focused on archaeology, heritage conservation, cultural site management, research coordination, and sustainable tourism planning. His work has been closely associated with some of Peru’s most significant archaeological landscapes, where he has contributed to both scientific research and the long-term protection of cultural heritage.

From 2013 to 2023, he served as Director of the Archaeological and Interdisciplinary Research Program in the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, overseeing multidisciplinary research initiatives at one of the world’s most important archaeological sites. Between 2019 and 2022, he was Chief of the National Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu, where he strengthened preservation and management strategies aimed at safeguarding the site's Outstanding Universal Value. He later served as Director of the Archaeological and Interdisciplinary Research Program at the Monumental Archaeological Complex of Kuélap from 2023 to 2025. Since April 2025, he has held the position of Projects Director at World Monuments Fund Peru.

José has published extensively and is a frequent contributor to academic conferences and professional forums. He served as co-editor of Machupicchu: Investigaciones Interdisciplinarias (2020) and Machu Picchu in Context (Springer, 2022), works that reflect his commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research and heritage scholarship. He has also represented Peru at numerous international conferences, fellowships, and training programmes, collaborating with institutions and specialists across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

His contributions to archaeology and heritage conservation have earned significant professional recognition. The Professional Association of Archaeologists of Peru awarded him the Recognition Diploma for Archaeologist Researchers in 2019, the Honor Diploma in 2021, and the Special Award for Scientific Merit in 2024.

In recognition of his contributions to the study and conservation of Machu Picchu, the orchid species Masdevallia bastantei, discovered in the region and formally described in 2021, was named in his honour — an enduring tribute that reflects the intersection of cultural and natural heritage in one of Peru’s most remarkable landscapes.