Bronze casting is one of the significant symbols of human society evolving into the civilized era. In the late Neolithic Age, small bronze vessels appeared in China. Containers and weapons of complex shape and structure appeared in the period of Er'litou culture. Bronze ware is important archaeological finding to get to know the production, technology and art of ancient times. The inscriptions are supplement of documentary records and has great historical value.

There are many kinds of bronzes unearthed in Tianshui, including ritual vessels, weapons and other ware. The bronze in pre-Qin period are mostly ritual grain vessels such as tripod (Ding) and Gui in early Western Zhou Dynasty. After the Spring and Autumn period, weapons and other vessels increased gradually. These objects has various shapes and exquisite decoration. It reflects the social etiquette system, wars, production and living conditions of people in ancient Tianshui. They are also precious data in studying the regional culture and bronze casting technology in Tianshui.