The critical study of old handwriting is called:

Palaeography is the discipline devoted to the critical study of old or historical handwriting. It involves analysing the forms, styles, and evolution of scripts used in manuscripts, documents, and inscriptions from earlier periods. Palaeographers use their expertise to date documents, determine their place of origin, and decipher texts that may be difficult to read due to archaic letter forms or deterioration.

The other options refer to different fields of study. Philology is the study of language in written historical sources, focusing on textual criticism and the development of languages. Numismatics is the study of coins and currencies as historical evidence. Linguistics is the broader scientific study of language, its structure, and its use in human communication.

Exam tip: Distinguish these related but distinct disciplines: palaeography deals specifically with handwriting and script forms, while epigraphy (a related field) deals with inscriptions carved on hard surfaces such as stone or metal.