The base of a structure, especially one supporting a statue or monumental column. It has three parts: the base or foot next to the ground, the dado or die forming the center, and the cornice or surbase moldings at the top. A second architectural definition is the support or foot of a late classic or neoclassical column. The term also refers to any upright column of sediment that is left standing as the surrounding archaeological excavation continues, to reflect the stratigraphy of the site or hold a specific artifact in place.