At the late Neolithic site Torwiesen II (3283 and 3279 cal. b.c.) a systematic sampling programme was carried out, covering the entire settlement area. Plastic tubes, 10 cm in diameter and 20-30 cm long were used for sampling, in which one sample per square metre was taken. For each plant species in every analysed sample the concentration, in remains per litre of sediment, was calculated and plotted with AutoCAD. Every plot shows the quantitative distribution of a taxon on the site and indicates a special pattern that may reflect economic conditions or even social differences within the settlement. With the plots, areas of special activity inside and outside the houses were detected: zones of crop processing, cooking areas and rubbish deposits. The socio-economic structure of the settlement with unspecialised farmers, crop specialists and gatherers is indicated by the content of crops and edible wild plants inside the houses. On the basis of the systematic sampling programme it could be shown that Torwiesen II was not a consistent community, but much more a structured one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]