Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Paleography \Pa`le*og"ra*phy\, n. [Paleo- + -graphy: cf. F.
   pal['e]ographie.]
   1. An ancient manner of writing; ancient writings,
      collectively; as, Punic paleography.

   2. The study of ancient inscriptions and modes of writing;
      the art or science of deciphering ancient writings, and
      determining their origin, period, etc., from external
      characters; diplomatics.

Source : WordNet®

paleography
     n : the study of ancient forms of writing (and the deciphering
         of them)