UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A face of Pompeii

Q1. The archaeological site of Pompeii, situated at the south-eastern base of Mount Vesuvius in the Campania region, is directly administered by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Pompeii Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico di Pompei)
  • B. University of Padua
  • C. UNESCO World Heritage Centre
  • D. International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)

Q2. With reference to the geographical setting of ancient Pompeii, consider the following statements: 1. Pompeii lay about 23 km south-east of Naples. 2. Mount Vesuvius overlooks the Bay of Naples in the Campania region. 3. The Bay of Naples is an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. 4. Pompeii stood near the mouth of the Sarnus (Sarno) River. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Pompeii lay about 23 km south-east of Naples.
  2. Mount Vesuvius overlooks the Bay of Naples in the Campania region.
  3. The Bay of Naples is an inlet of the Adriatic Sea.
  4. Pompeii stood near the mouth of the Sarnus (Sarno) River.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Which of the following ancient settlements was/were buried by the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius? 1. Herculaneum 2. Stabiae 3. Oplontis 4. Ostia Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Herculaneum
  2. Stabiae
  3. Oplontis
  4. Ostia
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. According to standard accounts, the AD 79 eruption buried the city of Pompeii under a layer of compact volcanic material of approximately what thickness?

  • A. 4 to 6 metres
  • B. 15 to 18 metres
  • C. 30 to 35 metres
  • D. 50 to 55 metres

Q5. With reference to the UNESCO World Heritage property that includes Pompeii, consider the following statements: 1. The property comprises the archaeological areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata, not Pompeii alone. 2. The property was inscribed solely under natural (biodiversity) criteria. 3. Unlike Herculaneum, which was buried mainly by a volcanic mudflow, Pompeii was buried mainly by ash and lapilli. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The property comprises the archaeological areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata, not Pompeii alone.
  2. The property was inscribed solely under natural (biodiversity) criteria.
  3. Unlike Herculaneum, which was buried mainly by a volcanic mudflow, Pompeii was buried mainly by ash and lapilli.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Among the ancient sites associated with the AD 79 eruption, which one is the single most-visited archaeological site, recording about 4.3 million visitors in 2024?

  • A. Pompeii
  • B. Herculaneum
  • C. Torre Annunziata
  • D. Stabiae

Q7. The 2026 AI reconstruction of a Pompeii eruption victim was based on a skeleton found with several personal objects. Which of the following was/were among the artefacts recovered with him? 1. A fractured terracotta bowl held over his head 2. A ceramic oil lamp 3. Ten bronze coins 4. A gold necklace Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. A fractured terracotta bowl held over his head
  2. A ceramic oil lamp
  3. Ten bronze coins
  4. A gold necklace
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. With reference to the 2026 AI reconstruction of a Pompeii victim, consider the following statements: 1. It was produced by the Pompeii Archaeological Park in collaboration with the University of Padua. 2. It was based on archaeological survey data from excavations near the Porta Stabia necropolis. 3. It was the first application of the plaster-cast technique pioneered by Giuseppe Fiorelli. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It was produced by the Pompeii Archaeological Park in collaboration with the University of Padua.
  2. It was based on archaeological survey data from excavations near the Porta Stabia necropolis.
  3. It was the first application of the plaster-cast technique pioneered by Giuseppe Fiorelli.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. Systematic excavation at Pompeii commenced in 1748. Approximately how many years after the AD 79 eruption did this excavation begin?

  • A. About 1,100 years
  • B. About 1,400 years
  • C. About 1,670 years
  • D. About 1,900 years

Q10. In the context of the management of Pompeii, the 'Great Pompeii Project' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. An Italian-government and EU-funded conservation and restoration initiative for the Pompeii site, launched in 2012
  • B. A privately endowed foundation that owns the excavation rights to Pompeii
  • C. A UNESCO emergency fund created after the AD 79 eruption anniversary
  • D. An annual international festival re-enacting the eruption for tourists

Q11. In India, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) — the principal body applying digital and AI-based tools to monument documentation and conservation — functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Culture
  • B. Ministry of Tourism
  • C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • D. Ministry of Education

Q12. The largest volcanic eruption in recorded history — measuring VEI 7 and triggering the 1816 'Year Without a Summer' — occurred at which volcano and in which year?

  • A. Mount Tambora, 1815
  • B. Krakatoa, 1883
  • C. Mount Vesuvius, AD 79
  • D. Santorini (Thera), c. 1600 BC