the study of the handwritings of the past, and often the manuscripts as well, so that they may be dated, read, etc, and may serve as historical and literary sources
2.
a handwriting of the past
Derived forms
palaeographer (palaeˈographer)
noun
palaeographic (ˌpælɪəʊˈɡræfɪk) or palaeographical (ˌpalaeoˈgraphical)