In order to explore the composition of the adhesive used in the inlay process, this work analyzed a copper bracelet fragment excavated from M17 of the Lijiashan cemetery in 1972. Three-dimensional video microscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), Raman spectrometry, Fourier transform micro-infrared spectrometry (micro-FTIR) and thermally-assisted hydrolysis and methylation-pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (THM-Py-GC/MS) were employed to characterize the adhesive materials. The results show that the adhesive was composed of drying oil, horn powder/ashes, and wax. The presence of horn powder/ashes in such contexts was uncommon. These findings deepen the scientific understanding of malachite/turquoise inlay technologies used during the Bronze Age in Southwest China, and provide a scientific foundation for future conservation work.