noun
Academic term for the study of inscriptions on stone, metal, and other durable materials. Used in historical and archaeological contexts.
彼は金石学の専門家で、古代の碑文を研究している。
He is an expert in epigraphy and studies ancient inscriptions.
Compound of 金石 (きんせき, 'metal and stone', referring to durable materials bearing inscriptions) and 学 (がく, 'study'). The term is a direct calque of the Western concept of epigraphy.