Aug 14, 2025
What if the future of leadership came not from Silicon Valley, but from the highlands of the Andes?
In a remarkable interview, archaeologist José Bastante shares how ancient Andean systems like Ayni (reciprocity), Minka (community work), and Mita (state labor) are more than cultural curiosities—they’re blueprints for sustainable leadership and collaborative action.
From directing archaeological projects in Machu Picchu to redefining how we see cultural heritage, Bastante demonstrates that values rooted in reciprocity, respect, and collective effort still thrive. His vision offers a powerful alternative to competitive, individualistic leadership models.
He also cautions against reading ancient sites through Western categories: “We must understand these cultures on their own terms,” he insists.
The conversation bridges past and present, heritage and innovation, reminding communicators and leaders alike that sometimes the most radical future lies in ancestral wisdom.
Ancient Reciprocity and Modern Lessons from Machu Picchu
Interviewers: Esteban Galán & Lindsey
Drylie Carey
Guest: José
Bastante, archaeologist and former director of the National
Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu
Q: Let’s begin with three key Inca concepts: Ayni,
Minka, and Mita. What are they?
José Bastante:
They are ancient Andean systems of reciprocity. Ayni is mutual aid within families;
Minka refers to
communal labor; and Mita was organized by the state. These systems
enabled the construction of monumental infrastructure and were
essential to Andean society. They’ve existed for over 5,000 years
and still persist in some communities today.
Q: How were these principles reflected in Machu
Picchu?
José Bastante:
Machu Picchu is the product of a collective effort, guided by reciprocity
and state organization. Roads, terraces, and canals were not built
through forced labor or monetary systems, but through
shared
responsibilities among the people.
Q: How did the Inca relate to nature in their urban
planning?
José Bastante:
Their architecture shows deep respect for the environment. They didn't
flatten landscapes—they adapted to them. This balance between human
activity and nature is something we can—and must—learn from.
Q: Can these ancient ideas be applied
today?
José Bastante:
Absolutely. If leadership today embraced reciprocity, sustainability, and shared
responsibility, we’d have more equitable systems.
Unfortunately, modern economics values money above all. But Andean
traditions offer a
radically different worldview.
Q: How advanced was Inca
infrastructure?
José Bastante:
Very advanced. The Inca road system spanned thousands of kilometers
and connected vast territories. It allowed not only the exchange of
goods but also the spread of ideas and governance. The Incas
improved on centuries of Andean engineering that preceded them.
Q: Were there written
records?
José Bastante:
Not in the way we understand writing. They used quipus—knotted cords—to record
data, especially numerical. There was no currency in pre-Hispanic
Andes. Value was based on social contribution, not wealth accumulation.
Q: What can Machu Picchu teach us
today?
José Bastante:
That equilibrium is
possible. Ancient Andean society proved that humans can
build magnificently without destroying the Earth. Machu Picchu is
not just a relic—it’s a model of sustainable design and social cohesion.