Epigraphy involves which of the following actions?

Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions, which includes reading and interpreting texts that are carved, etched, or otherwise inscribed onto hard surfaces. This field primarily focuses on ancient writing systems, such as hieroglyphics, and aims to understand the language, culture, and history they reflect. By analyzing inscriptions, epigraphers can unlock valuable information about past civilizations, their beliefs, customs, and events.

The other actions listed—such as studying the chemical composition of artifacts, analyzing architectural styles, and classifying artifacts based on their age—fall under different sub-disciplines within anthropology and archaeology. They do not specifically relate to the practice of epigraphy, which is uniquely concerned with inscribed texts and written records. Thus, the correct understanding of epigraphy directly ties it to the reading and interpretation of hieroglyphics and similar forms of written language.