NATCHEZ &8212; Over the next couple weeks, archeologists and architects will be scouring the area known as the Fort Rosalie site, documenting clues to the sites recent and not-so-recent past.

Architects from the National Park Service Historical American Building Survey Division were putting pen to paper and tape measures to the face of Fat-Mama&8217;s Tamales Tuesday, putting together detailed drawings of log cabin that was once part of a 1940s tourist attraction.

The Park Service hopes to use the drawings as a basis for restoring the building as a testimony to the area budding tourism industry in the first half of the 20th century.

Archeologists will also be excavate area on the site to decide what kinds of evidence of past occupants remains and what they can reveal about the area.

The area must be excavated before it can be broadened into the park.

Interim Superintendent Kathleen Jenkins of the Natchez National Historic Park, part of the National Park Service, said the archeologists would be excavating for the next couple weeks.

&8220;By the end of that time, we&8217;ll have a good idea of what archeological resources are left and what we can tell about the site,&8221; Jenkins said.

The remains found at the site, like broken glass and nails, may reveal things about the Native Americans, French, British, Spanish and Americans who occupied Fort Rosalie at various times in history, she said.

The fort no longer exists, and the archeologists hope to pinpoint the exact location of the fort, Jenkins said.

The site must be excavated before things like walking trails and picnic tables can be put in place.

&8220;We will use the information to plan for developing,&8221; Jenkins said.

Jenkins said the park service plans to turn the area into a large park where people can walk trails, sit and visit or just enjoy the view.

Fort Rosalie, once finished, will be a valuable archeological resource and tourist attraction, she said.

&8220;The site will mostly be a green space park where the public can enjoy the view of the river from the bluffs,&8221; she said.

Jenkins said the park service still had to acquire land farther down the hill, where they believe the French occupied, as well.

The log building now housing Fat Mama&8217;s Tamales was originally built in 1940 as a gift shop and ticket office for a tourist attraction. Once Fat Mama&8217;s Tamales has moved, it will serve as a visitors&8217; center.