Oryctography, also known as petrography, is the study of rocks and minerals. There are numerous synonyms for this term, most of which are derived from Greek or Latin roots. Lithology is one such synonym, which refers to the study of the physical characteristics of rocks. Petrology is another synonym, which encompasses the study of both rocks and minerals. Geology, which is the scientific study of the earth, can also be considered a synonym for oryctography. Other related terms include mineralogy, which is the study of minerals, and stratigraphy, which involves the study of rock layers and their relationships to one another.