The Mutual Verification of Agricultural Imagery and Granary Architecture in Ancient China: A Case Study of the Fuzhou “Room-Style” Granaries

The evolution of agricultural civilization is closely related to the social changes in ancient China, with Fuzhou being home to a large number of traditional granary buildings with distinctive regional characteristics. This study employs field surveys, a literature review, architectural mapping, and comparative analysis to explore whether there is mutual verification between the “room-style” granaries in Fuzhou and related agricultural imagery. The findings reveal that (1) the granary buildings in Fuzhou city generally follow the ancient raised-platform structure and are organically integrated with the local courtyard-style dwellings, forming a unique “room-style” granaries. Their layout and structure not only adapt to the local natural environment but also reflect the ancient craftsmen’s deep understanding of material properties and structural mechanics. (2) The spatial layout and functions of traditional granary buildings have evolved with social changes. Their development has been profoundly influenced by Zhuzi’s granary system and Neo-Confucian thought, gradually forming a hybrid space that combines storage and residential functions, integrating both practicality and esthetics. This evolutionary process not only reflects the flexibility and adaptability of the ancient storage system but also demonstrates the influence of social and cultural factors in shaping architectural space. Currently, there are the following gaps in the research on traditional granaries in Fuzhou City: a lack of analysis on the form and structural patterns of local granary buildings, insufficient cross-verification between documentary records and physical remains, and inadequate research on the construction wisdom of traditional granary buildings. This study provides valuable insights into the research of ancient architectural art, cultural exchange, and regional construction.