What is the study of ancient inscriptions called?

The study of ancient inscriptions is known as epigraphy. This field focuses on analyzing, deciphering, and interpreting inscriptions, which can be found on a variety of surfaces, such as stone, metal, or ceramics. Epigraphy is crucial for understanding historical texts, social structures, and cultures of ancient civilizations, as inscriptions often provide significant insight into events, linguistics, and daily life.

Paleography, while related, specifically deals with the study of ancient handwriting and scripts in manuscripts, rather than inscriptions themselves. Archaeology encompasses the broader study of human history and prehistory through the excavation and analysis of material remains, which can include inscriptions but does not focus solely on them. Numismatics is the study of coins and currency, which can provide valuable historical information but is not directly related to inscriptions.