Marc N. Levine, assistant anthropology professor at the University of Oklahoma and assistant curator of archaeology at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, will give two lectures on April 18 and 19 at Wichita State University. The talks will cover cultural and ritualistic traditions of ancient Mesoamerica.

Both events are free and open to the public. A reception will follow the April 18 talk in 117 Neff Hall.

Levine will present “Obsidian Reflections: Symbolic Dimensions of Obsidian Use in Ancient Mesoamerica” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, in 211 Hubbard Hall. He will depart from the traditional study of obsidian production, trade and use, and will focus on the rock’s ritualistic and symbolic connotations in Mesoamerican thought and religion.

The second lecture, “An Archaeology of Social Life at the Mixtec Capital of Tututepec, Oaxaca,” will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 19, in 100 Lindquist Hall. Levine will discuss household excavations at the ancient capital of Tututepec and the everyday lives, social relationships and practices of low status commoners.

The lectures are sponsored by the Sally and David Jackman Lecture Series in WSU’s Department of Anthropology.