The florescent epoch, in the present classification, includes the pure Nazca cultural and artistic tradition and, on stratigraphic and stylistic grounds, is subdivided into Early Middle, and Late phases. In ceramics, it is marked by the highest Peruvian development of the polychrome painted style, is preceded by the incising tradition of the Formative, and terminates prior to the first intrusion of Tiahuanacoid stylistic elements into the south coastal region.