Sweeping the yards is a common trait in the South, but I have not
determined how prevalent it was and how it was correlated with geography,
time, ethnicity and socio-economic status. Informants told us at Waverly
this was done to keep the insects and vermin away from the house. Clearly
this would have a substantial impact on the archaeogenesis of the site,
for not only would trash be swept up, but the yard would be kept bare of
vegetation and hence erode away. Presumably this should be observed in
the archaeological record as leaving the house up on a pedestal and a
dearth of artifacts.
 
Bill Adams