In 2009, a boatshaped cup was excavated from the Xujiaba site at Pengshui in Chongqing city. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry analysis showed that the surface of the boatshaped cup contained a large amount of Cu and Pb and a trace amount of Sn. Additionally, a small copper block isolated from the boatshaped cup was found to be made of Cu, Sn and Pb. Xray diffraction analysis of a bluegray material in the cup showed that it was comprised of cassiterite (SnO2), copper oxide (CuO) and carbon (C). These results indicated that the Ba People, who lived during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, knew the properties of bronze alloys and had grasped the technology of bronze smelting and casting. This finding suggests that boatshaped cup was used as a crucible in the bronze smelting and casting