According to archaeological excavations, the area has been continuously
inhabited by various cultures of indigenous peoples since the 8th century CE.
The original site of Natchez was developed as a major village with ceremonial
platform mounds, built by people of the prehistoric Plaquemine culture, part of
the Mississippian culture. Archaeological evidence shows they began
construction of the three main earthwork mounds by 1200. Additional work was
done in the mid-15th century.
By the late 17th and early 18th century, the Natchez (pronounced
"Nochi"), descendants of the Plaquemine culture, occupied the site
