Identification of the provenances of ancient ceramics is always a key job in research on ancient ceramics. Besides traditional visual identification methods by shape, decorative patterns and glaze color, etc., modern technological methods have also been developed in recent years to determine the provenances of ancient ceramics. These technological methods are mainly based on the elemental compositions of ancient ceramics, especially on typical trace elements. However, some ceramics having similar elemental compositions are imitations, so multiple types of evidence are needed to determine their provenances. In our research, the ceramic samples include authentic ones collected from four typical ancient kilns of South and North China: Yue Kiln, Jian Kiln, Yaozhou Kiln and Ding Kiln as well as some imitations. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and thermoluminescence (TL) technologies were respectively used to determine elemental compositions of the glazes and their thermoluminescent characteristics, with the aim of determining their provenances. The analytical results show that ancient ceramics from the same area share similar chemical compositions, typical trace elements and thermoluminescent (TL) properties. More manganese (Mn) and phosphorus (P) was detected in the samples of Yue porcelains, which is thought to be related to the local plant ash used for porcelain-making. Yue porcelains also feature high thermoluminescent sensitivity, with the peak value above 5000 cps. A high content of aluminum (Al) in the body is the characteristic of the ceramics from Ding and Yaozhou Kilns, and can be used to differentiate them from Yue and Jian ceramics. Higher silicon (Si) and magnesium (Mg) but lower calcium (Ca) and manganese (Mn) contents are the characteristics of Ding porcelains and are distinct from the others. Furthermore, the Yue porcelains have the highest TL sensitivity among the four kilns. Therefore, ancient ceramics from different provenances can be distinguished according to different elemental compositions and TL sensitivities.