Excavations at Toqua in the 1970s uncovered evidence typical of a Mississippian period village.
 The village consisted of a central pebble-covered plaza flanked by a large "platform" mound (known as "Mound A") and 57 dwellings.
 A smaller mound, known as "Mound B," was located in the southeastern corner of the village.
 At its height around 1400, the village covered 4.8 acres (0.019 km²), although its size was later drastically reduced.
 The village was surrounded by a clay-covered palisade with bastions located at 60-foot (18 m) intervals.
   Along with the village's layout, the excavation uncovered 477 confirmed human burials, 212 whole or partial ceramic vessels, and several thousand stone artifacts.

The Mississippian structures identified and investigated at the Toqua site included the two mounds and several dwellings.
 The construction of Mound A occurred in 16 phases and probably began in the 10th century.
 The mound was approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) high and 154 feet (47 m) in diameter, and topped by two structures, the largest of which measured 100 feet (30 m) x 83 feet (25 m) and contained a central hearth and benches.
 Excavations at the mound discovered a chert sword, a pot filled with marsh elder seeds, and two high-status female burials.
 Mound B was 6 feet (1.8 m) high and 93 feet (28 m) in diameter and contained numerous cremated human remains.
 A typical Mississippian-period dwelling at the Toqua site consisted of 400 square feet (37 m²) of living space, a central hearth, storage areas, and interior partitions.

Analysis of the human remains uncovered at Toqua determined that the height of the average male was 5'6" and the height of the average female was 5'1".
 Life expectancy was just 17.1 years for males and 15.1 years for females.
 Many of the remains showed signs of widespread iron deficiency, possibly because of a diet relying too much upon corn and consisting of little meat.
 At its height, the village probably had a population of between 250 and 300.

Toqua was likely the dominant village in the Little Tennessee Valley between 1250 and 1500.
 An increase in mass burials and the reduction of the village to nearly one-half its size in the 16th century indicate a possible decline at Toqua.
 The village was superseded by rising Dallas Phase occupations at Tomotley (almost adjacent to Toqua) and Citico (several miles upstream).
Excavations at Toqua in the 1970s uncovered evidence typical of a Mississippian period village.  The village consisted of a central pebble-covered plaza flanked by a large "platform" mound (known as "Mound A") and 57 dwellings.  A smaller mound, known as "Mound B," was located in the southeastern corner of the village.  At its height around 1400, the village covered 4.8 acres (0.019 km²), although its size was later drastically reduced.  The village was surrounded by a clay-covered palisade with bastions located at 60-foot (18 m) intervals.    Along with the village's layout, the excavation uncovered 477 confirmed human burials, 212 whole or partial ceramic vessels, and several thousand stone artifacts.
The Mississippian structures identified and investigated at the Toqua site included the two mounds and several dwellings.  The construction of Mound A occurred in 16 phases and probably began in the 10th century.  The mound was approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) high and 154 feet (47 m) in diameter, and topped by two structures, the largest of which measured 100 feet (30 m) x 83 feet (25 m) and contained a central hearth and benches.  Excavations at the mound discovered a chert sword, a pot filled with marsh elder seeds, and two high-status female burials.  Mound B was 6 feet (1.8 m) high and 93 feet (28 m) in diameter and contained numerous cremated human remains.  A typical Mississippian-period dwelling at the Toqua site consisted of 400 square feet (37 m²) of living space, a central hearth, storage areas, and interior partitions.
Analysis of the human remains uncovered at Toqua determined that the height of the average male was 5'6" and the height of the average female was 5'1".  Life expectancy was just 17.1 years for males and 15.1 years for females.  Many of the remains showed signs of widespread iron deficiency, possibly because of a diet relying too much upon corn and consisting of little meat.  At its height, the village probably had a population of between 250 and 300.
Toqua was likely the dominant village in the Little Tennessee Valley between 1250 and 1500.  An increase in mass burials and the reduction of the village to nearly one-half its size in the 16th century indicate a possible decline at Toqua.  The village was superseded by rising Dallas Phase occupations at Tomotley (almost adjacent to Toqua) and Citico (several miles upstream).
Toqua (Tennessee)