The axe head is composed of opaque olive-green jade with an extensive network of discolored veins at the edge. The highly polished, slightly-flared trapezoidal jade has two conical holes near the base. The hole was drilled from one side. The beveled and round cutting edge is quite thin and sharp. The hole used for affixing the axe head to a handle was drilled from one side. The shape of this ceremonial axe head is based on functional stone tools of the period. This is a typical example from Neolithic Northwest China.
