The people of Southern Mississippi have a long and storied history that has been shaped by centuries of myths, legends, stories, and customs. Native Americans have a deep-rooted presence in the region, with archaeological sites along the Natchez Trace Parkway providing evidence of the first tribes. Today, the remaining Native American tribes, such as Choctaw, Chicasaw and Natchez, operate casinos on their reservations to help sustain their economy. Southern Mississippi has also been a major contributor to Southern literature since the early 20th century. The Plaquemine culture was an archaeological culture in the lower Mississippi River Valley in western Mississippi and eastern Louisiana.
Sites such as Spiro and Battle Mound Site are located in the Arkansas and Red River valleys, where corn agriculture was most productive. In an era of rapid technological advancement, Mississippi has remained dedicated to preserving its historic monuments, artifacts and furniture from the past. Examples of this culture can be seen at Medora site (the type site for culture and period) in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, and at Anna, Emerald Mound, Winterville and Holly Bluff sites in Mississippi.
