Although a small number of studies have attempted to introduce automatic grouping procedures into thin section petrography of archaeological ceramics, the majority of studies continue to be carried out by non-automatic means. Although such an approach with the single observer grouping samples has a number of advantages, it is problematic when dealing with large numbers of samples. This paper aims to explore different coding systems and statistical analyses for grouping ceramic thin sections. In the example discussed a number of variables are defined, codified and analysed by correspondence analysis, classical multidimensional scaling, non-metric isotonic multidimensional scaling and Sammon mapping. The group separation is compared between methods and with previous non-automatic grouping of the same material. The results are promising for this approach, which can be adapted for different studies by the redefinition of the variables recorded and analysed.