Administrative power as a visible hand in the spatial distribution patterns of Chinese Weilongwu houses

Abstract The role of administrative power in the enduring culture-regime debate is examined through a cultural diffusion case in China using digital archeology. 5698 Weilongwu (WLWs, traditional Hakka houses) objects were detected through remote sensing imagery, and the origin point was estimated. Then conceptual framework of “cultural primacy” and “cultural attenuation” combined with historical administrative features was established to quantitatively analyze the diffusion pattern of these ancient houses. Spatial statistics, incorporating convex hull algorithms and 24-axis directional analysis, quantified and mapped the cultural diffusion trends under the administrative influence. Results indicated that cultural diffusion correlated strongly with historical administrative regions, thriving at the prefecture level but constrained beyond. Findings above suggest administrative power mediated diffusion not through coercion, but by balancing local and imperial governance, ultimate shaping China’s multicultural landscape. The scalable methodology offers broader insights into cultural diffusion, human activity, and natural environments, with applicability to diverse cultural regions.