Ruslan I. Kostov - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Books by Ruslan I. Kostov
Sofia, Multiprint, 78 p. (in Bulgarian with English abstract), 2023
The book is a comprehensive overview on the symbolic role of the twelve gem minerals in the Bible... more The book is a comprehensive overview on the symbolic role of the twelve gem minerals in the Bible (Old and New Testament texts). The first chapter is a historical review and an introduction to the study of gem minerals in the Bible. Of significant importance in this respect are considered some old and new publications by mineralogists with an interdisciplinary approach (Kunz, 1913; Harrell, 2011; Harrell et al., 2017). The second chapter deals with the function and mineral composition of the breastplate at the ephod of the High Priest. It has been suggested that it may play together with the enigmatic Urim and Thummim the role of oracle. The twelve sacred minerals (related to the twelve tribes of Israel) have been listed and reinterpreted (including Cyrillic alphabet literature from different old Slavonic sources). The third chapter is linked to the correspondence between gemstones (precious minerals) and the twelve Apostles, including their symbolic meaning as given by medieval treatises and contemporary researchers. In the fourth chapter, stress has been put on the importance of bridging the twelve precious minerals with corresponding astronomical (calendar; zodiacal) or medical (including anatomical positions and therapeutic virtues) symbols throughout the centuries. It traces also the ancient lore of gemstones – superstitions, mysticism, use in medicine, protection, etc. In the fifth chapter, the twelve precious minerals from the Bible are studied from an art point of view in paintings, frescoes, drawings, stained-glass windows and sculptures worldwide with stress on some examples from Bulgaria.
Multiprint, Sofia, 320+16 p. (in Bulgarian), 2022
Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, 72 p., 2020
Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, 2020
Горе вляво: Тъмнозелен и жълт яспис с червени петна (хелиотроп) (30х20х17 cm) от Неофит Бозвелиев... more Горе вляво: Тъмнозелен и жълт яспис с червени петна (хелиотроп) (30х20х17 cm) от Неофит Бозвелиево, Източни Родопи (№9273, Национален природонаучен музей, БАН) Горе вдясно: Мьосбауеров спектър на жълт яспис с гьотит (образец aVu3, Върхари, Източни Родопи) Долу вляво: Червен яспис със зонални хематит-гьотитови коломорфни агрегати (образец Mo1, Източни Родопи; дюншлиф,║N) Долу вдясно: Пъстър ясписов къс (детайл) от Източните Родопи (№21683; Национален музей "Земята и хората")
In: La parure en callaïs du Néolithique européen (Eds. Querré, G., S. Cassen, E. Vigier). Archaeopress, Oxford, 2019
Sofia, Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, 126 p., I-VIII (in Bulgarian with English summary), 2016
Академик Иван Костов. Планетарна импресия. Academician Ivan Kostov. Planetary Impression. Sofia, Academic Publishing House “Prof. Marin Drinov”, 138 p. (in Bulgarian with English abstract), 2013
The book is published on occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Bulgarian mineralogist Academic... more The book is published on occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Bulgarian mineralogist Academician Professor Ivan Kostov (1913-2004). In the first part are included memories of his unfinished autobiography "Planetary Impression", as well as some unpublished works and reports. In the second part of the book are presented dates and data from his scientific biography with a Bibliography of his works. The book is illustrated by a lot of photos from the personal archive of the scientist, his books, as well as with some of his paintings and drawings.
Sofia, Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, 126 p., I-VIII (in Bulgarian with English summary), 2007
Sofia, St. Ivan Rilski Editorial House, 251 p. (in Bulgarian), 2012
References (Bibliography on litho-, mineral-, crystal- and gem-therapy): p. 171-249.
In: Bulgaria. Geographic Atlas, 2010
Bulgaria (Ed. by J. Chapman with contributions by B. Gaydarska, A. Raduntcheva, R. Kostov, I. Petrov, E. Georgieva, Y. Beadnell). 2010. Oxbow Books, Oxford and Oakville, 172 p., Pl. 1-8., 2010
Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, 19 p., 2008
Sofia, Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, 47 p. (in Bulgarian and English), 2008
Sofia, Multiprint, 78 p. (in Bulgarian with English abstract), 2023
The book is a comprehensive overview on the symbolic role of the twelve gem minerals in the Bible... more The book is a comprehensive overview on the symbolic role of the twelve gem minerals in the Bible (Old and New Testament texts). The first chapter is a historical review and an introduction to the study of gem minerals in the Bible. Of significant importance in this respect are considered some old and new publications by mineralogists with an interdisciplinary approach (Kunz, 1913; Harrell, 2011; Harrell et al., 2017). The second chapter deals with the function and mineral composition of the breastplate at the ephod of the High Priest. It has been suggested that it may play together with the enigmatic Urim and Thummim the role of oracle. The twelve sacred minerals (related to the twelve tribes of Israel) have been listed and reinterpreted (including Cyrillic alphabet literature from different old Slavonic sources). The third chapter is linked to the correspondence between gemstones (precious minerals) and the twelve Apostles, including their symbolic meaning as given by medieval treatises and contemporary researchers. In the fourth chapter, stress has been put on the importance of bridging the twelve precious minerals with corresponding astronomical (calendar; zodiacal) or medical (including anatomical positions and therapeutic virtues) symbols throughout the centuries. It traces also the ancient lore of gemstones – superstitions, mysticism, use in medicine, protection, etc. In the fifth chapter, the twelve precious minerals from the Bible are studied from an art point of view in paintings, frescoes, drawings, stained-glass windows and sculptures worldwide with stress on some examples from Bulgaria.
Multiprint, Sofia, 320+16 p. (in Bulgarian), 2022
Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, 72 p., 2020
Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, 2020
Горе вляво: Тъмнозелен и жълт яспис с червени петна (хелиотроп) (30х20х17 cm) от Неофит Бозвелиев... more Горе вляво: Тъмнозелен и жълт яспис с червени петна (хелиотроп) (30х20х17 cm) от Неофит Бозвелиево, Източни Родопи (№9273, Национален природонаучен музей, БАН) Горе вдясно: Мьосбауеров спектър на жълт яспис с гьотит (образец aVu3, Върхари, Източни Родопи) Долу вляво: Червен яспис със зонални хематит-гьотитови коломорфни агрегати (образец Mo1, Източни Родопи; дюншлиф,║N) Долу вдясно: Пъстър ясписов къс (детайл) от Източните Родопи (№21683; Национален музей "Земята и хората")
In: La parure en callaïs du Néolithique européen (Eds. Querré, G., S. Cassen, E. Vigier). Archaeopress, Oxford, 2019
Sofia, Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, 126 p., I-VIII (in Bulgarian with English summary), 2016
Академик Иван Костов. Планетарна импресия. Academician Ivan Kostov. Planetary Impression. Sofia, Academic Publishing House “Prof. Marin Drinov”, 138 p. (in Bulgarian with English abstract), 2013
The book is published on occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Bulgarian mineralogist Academic... more The book is published on occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Bulgarian mineralogist Academician Professor Ivan Kostov (1913-2004). In the first part are included memories of his unfinished autobiography "Planetary Impression", as well as some unpublished works and reports. In the second part of the book are presented dates and data from his scientific biography with a Bibliography of his works. The book is illustrated by a lot of photos from the personal archive of the scientist, his books, as well as with some of his paintings and drawings.
Sofia, Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, 126 p., I-VIII (in Bulgarian with English summary), 2007
Sofia, St. Ivan Rilski Editorial House, 251 p. (in Bulgarian), 2012
References (Bibliography on litho-, mineral-, crystal- and gem-therapy): p. 171-249.
In: Bulgaria. Geographic Atlas, 2010
Bulgaria (Ed. by J. Chapman with contributions by B. Gaydarska, A. Raduntcheva, R. Kostov, I. Petrov, E. Georgieva, Y. Beadnell). 2010. Oxbow Books, Oxford and Oakville, 172 p., Pl. 1-8., 2010
Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, 19 p., 2008
Sofia, Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, 47 p. (in Bulgarian and English), 2008
Symmetry: Culture and Science (Symmetry Festival 2024. July 17-20, 2024, Pisa, Italy “Leaning” Symmetry. Conference Proceedings; Eds. S. Brasili, J. Gielis), Single Volume, 91-94. , 2024
Journal of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 135, 6, 49-56 (in Bulgarian with English abstract)., 2022
Geology and Mineral Resources, 30, 2-3, 39-43, 2023
Geology and Mineral Resources, 30, 1, 25-27 (in Bulgarian with English abstract), 2023
Geologica Balcanica, 2022
Elemental composition of two groups of 12 clay samples, at and above the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/... more Elemental composition of two groups of 12 clay samples, at and above the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary at Byala (Black Sea shore, Eastern Bulgaria), is studied by Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) in order to trace impact events. Iridium anomaly and a certain set of trace elements, together with biostratigraphic data, point to two possible impact events recorded: the first one (at the K/Pg boundary), linked to the giant Chicxulub impact in Mexico; and a second one (above the K/Pg boundary), possibly linked to the later in age, smaller and closer in distance, Boltysh impact in Ukraine.
Symmetry: Culture and Science, 2021
All 7 frieze symmetry groups are described for depictions of animals or symbols carved on the meg... more All 7 frieze symmetry groups are described for depictions of animals or symbols carved on the megalithic T-shape limestone pillars forming complex stone enclosures at the Pre-Pottery A and B Neolithic site Göbekli Tepe in southeastern Anatolia, Turkey (~10 th-8 th mill. BC). An idea for standardization of the size and shape of pillars and certain measures or ratios are discussed. Regular and irregular division of the plane of carving is observed. Symmetry studies indicate knowledge of periodicity, proportion and counting-a primary science among Neolithic hunter-gatherers.
In: 9th International Conference Mineralogy and Museums. 24-26 August 2021, Sofia, Bulgaria. Extended Abstracts (Eds. Kostov, R. I., R. Atanassova). Earth and Man National Museum, Sofia, 67-68, 2021
Symmetry: Culture and Science, 2021
Symmetry: Culture and Science, 2020
The engraving "Melencolia I" (1514) by the German artist Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) is studied fr... more The engraving "Melencolia I" (1514) by the German artist Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) is studied from a symmetry point of view. A review is made on the interpretation of the enigmatic polyhedron or crystal, one of the key elements of the composition, in comparison with some of the artist's geometrical sketches and a preliminary mirror symmetry drawing. Five-fold symmetry is suggested both for the polyhedron and specific angles or proportions, linked to the correspondent golden section.
Journal of Gems & Gemmology, 21, 4 (94), 25-35 , 2019
Revue de gemmologie A.F.G. (Association française de gemmologie), 2018
Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology, 48, 103-123, 2011
The Preslav gold treasure (adornments from gold decorated with enamel, beads of gem minerals and ... more The Preslav gold treasure (adornments from gold decorated with enamel, beads of gem minerals and pearls: diadem, bilateral necklace, medallions, several earrings and earcaps, rings, buttons, appliqués and other small finds) was found in 1978 near the town of Veliki Preslav – the second Bulgarian capital during the еnd of the First Bulgarian Kingdom. The treasure (X century) belonged to a female member of the royal family and is suggested to be of a Byzantine origin. A morphometric study and gem testing was made on all the gemmological materials – minerals and numerous pearls. Among the gem minerals are identified 40 emeralds, 12 violet sapphires, 10 reddish violet garnets, 5 rock crystals, 3 amethysts and 1 carnelian. Their inclusions and type of cut are listed. The average dimensions for the emerald polished and rounded on the edges prisms from two medallions are: length 0.48 cm and width 0.59 cm. The average dimensions for the mainly barrel shaped sea pearls from a gold medallion ...
Haemus Journal, vol. 2, 2013, 11-30, 2013
Nephrite-yielding prehistoric cultures in Europe have been using nephrite artifacts usually as ax... more Nephrite-yielding prehistoric cultures in Europe have been using nephrite artifacts usually as axes or as ritual objects (including amulets). The nephrite artifacts are traced in prehistoric (Neolithic-Chalcolithic) cultures from the Balkans (end of 7th-5th mill. BC-"Balkan nephrite culture") in SouthEast Europe and Sardinia (Italy; end of 5th-I4th mill. BC) to Central and Western Europe (Southern Poland and the Alpine lakes area of Switzerland and Germany-5th-3th mill. BC). The largest number of nephrite artifacts on the Balkans is reported from Bulgaria, and in Central Europe-from the Alpine lakes area, with the largest number known from Maurach. For certain prehistoric sites, the source of nephrite is not yet known. Archaeomineralogical studies are suggested to be made in this respect for tracing prehistoric trade routes and nephrite outcrops. Nephrite occurrences in Europe are known and reported from (in alphabetical order):
Mineral. Zhurnal, Kiev, 24, 1, 5-9, 2002
Geology and Mineral Resources, 26, 6, 29-33 , 2019
Journal of Gems & Gemmology, 21, 4, 25-35, 2019
Studies of prehistoric (Neolithic to Chalcolithic period) artefacts from the territory of Bulgari... more Studies of prehistoric (Neolithic to Chalcolithic period) artefacts from the territory of Bulgaria during the past decade revealed a lot of specific gem and decorative minerals and materials: nephrite, malachite, serpentinite, turquoise, jadeite, jet, carnelian, agate and jasper (including heliotrope). Nephrite artefacts in Bulgaria, as well as in some other countries on the Balkans, are widespread during the Neolithic and rare during the Chalcolithicthe nephrite sources are under discussion. A Balkan "nephrite culture" is introduced, which is supposed to be the earliest in the world, compared to the well known Chinese "nephrite cultures". The Varna Chalcolithic necropolis (middle of the V mill. BC) is known with the earliest and largest amount of gold artefacts in the world, including also some copper objects from the copper mines near Stara Zagora. A large amount of beads are also identified as made by malachite (in rare cases with azurite), serpentinite, carnelian, agate, coal (jet), marble and shells. Some of the carnelian beads from Varna display 16+16 facets along their elongation, which is the first record for a constant and complex faceting of hard mineral known so far. An early prehistoric weight system links mineral beads and gold artefacts (the weight unit "van" is introduced, 0.4 g = 2 carats). The first report of turquoise beads for SE Europe is related to the Orlovo prehistoric site (Haskovo district). The "Thracian stone" in ancient sources is identified also as heliotrope, which is known since the Chalcolithic in the Eastern Rhodopes. Some of the artefacts are masterpieces of art and as stage of perfection, thus pointing to the Balkans as a cradle of prehistoric gemmology.
Review of the Bulgarian Geological Society, 2019
Archaeomineralogy (archaeological mineralogy, mineralogical archaeology) is an interdisciplinary ... more Archaeomineralogy (archaeological mineralogy, mineralogical archaeology) is an interdisciplinary science related to the study of archaeological and historical objects of a mineral and rock composition (Kostov, 2007a; Rapp, 2009). In certain cases, the achaeomineralogy is linked also to archaeogemmology as a science for the study of natural and artificial raw materials which have been used for jewellery or other decorative purposes since the dawn of humankind to modern times, to ancient numismatics as part of archaeometallurgy which studies ores, slags and alloys, to petroarchaeology which studies different rock artifacts and pottery. Archaeomineralogy can be regarded as a major part of geoarchaeology as a broader scientific field of application of all the different branches of Earth sciences during searching, prospecting and study of archaeological monuments or single artifacts. It is also a part of archaeometry as a much broader field of interdisciplinary studies in archaeology (Kuleff, 2012). As priorities for Bulgaria are considered some Paleolithic and Neolithic sites, the Varna Chalcolithic necropolis, megalithic and rock-cut sites, the Thracian Culture, as well as artifacts related to the Ancient Bulgarians in all the areas of their settlement throughout the centuries.
XXII Meeting of the International Mineralogical Association, 13-17 August 2018, Melbourne, Australia. Book of Abstracts. Geological Society of Australia, Sydney, Australia., 2018
Review of the Bulgarian Geological Society, 2018
The mineral composition of two axes from the collection of the Regional Historical Museum in the ... more The mineral composition of two axes from the collection of the Regional Historical Museum in the town of Pernik, discovered in the Early Neolithic settlement of Galabnik, Pernik region, was identified by means of Raman spectroscopy (Faculty of Physics, Sofia University " St. Kliment Ohridski "). The two axes were found together with nephrite artefacts in horizons from the first phase of the settlement (early 6th millennium BC). They are coloured in white to pale green and pale brown. The first artefact is represented by a non-homogeneous aggregate of omphacite (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe,Al)Si 2 O 6 and garnet with almandine Fe 3 Al 2 (SiO 4) 3 composition. The second artefact is represented by a cream-white dense aggregate with small areas coloured in green and brown, all corresponding according to the Raman spectra (with the specific intensive peaks at 672–677 cm –1 and 1014 cm –1) also to omphacite. These are the earliest in age reported prehistoric axes in the country with оmphacite-jade composition, and such type of artefacts in the system jadeite-omphacite became widely distributed later in the period 5–4th millennium BC mainly on the territory of Western Europe. The origin of the raw material is related to exposures of high-pressure metamorphic complexes, most likely located in SW Bulgaria or in the adjacent Balkan countries.
Archeometriai Műhely /Archaeometry Workshop, 7, 3, 209-213, 2010
A review of the genetic classifications of jasper based on mineralogical data outlines three main... more A review of the genetic classifications of jasper based on mineralogical data outlines three main types of jasper and related rocks: 1 – jaspers; 2 – jasperoids; 3 – jasper-like rocks. True jasper has a quartz composition and is of metamorphic or metasomatic origin. Related in different colour and density to jasper other rocks of sedimentary or igneous origin can be found usually having a dominantly chalcedony-quartz and feldspar-quartz composition (jasperoids and jasper-like rocks). Main mineral impurities which cause the colour of the described rocks are listed.
Kivonat A jaspis es a rokon kőzetek genetikai osztalyozasaval az asvanytani adatok szerint harom fő kategoriat kulonithetunk el: 1 – jaspis; 2 – jasperoid; 3 – jaspis-szerű kőzetek. A valodi jaspis asvanytanilag kvarckristalyokbol all es metamorf vagy metaszomatikus eredetű. Hasonlo, valtozatos szinű es sűrűsegű kőzetek a jasperoidok es jaspisszerű kozetek melyek lehetnek uledekes es magmas eredetűek is, es asvanyos osszet...
Symmetry: Culture and Science, 2018
Canadian Mineralogist, 2009
![Research paper thumbnail of Crystals: Growth, Morphology and Perfection by I. Sunagawa, Cambridge University Press [Book Reviews].](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/59500051/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](Canadian Mineralogist, 2005