This paper probes into the provenance of the bronze vessels in Shang and Zhou Dynasties from some areas in China through trace element analysis. All samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES). Characteristic trace elements in bronze vessels are compared with those in copper ingots from several Pre-Qin sites of mining and smelting, such as Tonglüshan, Tongling, Nanling, Zhongtiaoshan and Zhaobishan sites. Results reveal that the copper of the bronze vessels from Anhui Province comes from ancient copper ores of the middle and lower reaches of Yangtse Rive, while the copper of bronze vessels from Western Liaoning Province and Houma comes from Dajing copper ores. Meanwhile, this research indicates trace elements Au, Ag, As, Sb, Bi, Se, Te, Co, Ni, Mo and Zn, etc. in copper ores are indicative of the provenance of the bronze vessels. It is feasible to determine the possible provenance of the bronze vessels on the basis of analysis of trace element in bronze vessels.