The study of epigraphy is the microscope while the study of human aging, extending human lifespan is the telescope that lets us see the stars in the future. With Epigraphy you can change dates in human history which changes a lot of what we thought we knew about ourselves.
The best NLP is based on principles that underpin epigraphy combined with neuroscience and research in cognition. The interesting part is that unbeknownst to most, the study of the past (epigraphy/NLP) is being used to solve for the future (space biosciences - LET radition, DNA repair, extending human lifespan making real space travel possible for the purpose of inhabiting other planets). Sounds out there, but this is what we work on at LBNL/DOE/DARPA/NASA related to predicting new interactions between proteins, genes etc.
Fun fact: Epigraphy, ciphers/deciphering, info security, cryptography are all related [2]
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigraphy
[2] From the epigraphy mailing list:
"Georges Depeyrot <Georges.depeyrot@ehess.fr>
To: epigraphy@yahoogroups.com
Sep 20, 2003 at 10:28 PM
Dear List members, We are publishing books on numismatics and economy (see Moneta <http://www.cultura-net.com/moneta/content.htm>). I just want to inform you that one of the books in press is devoted to "coins, money and epigraphy, 1st - 3rd c." (author, Pr St. Mrozek, Uty of Gdansk, Poland). It will concern the Roman Empire."