Several methods for material characterization and surface analysis such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion X-ray analysis (EDX), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), petrographic analyses, Mossbauer spectroscopy (MS), conventional X-ray diffraction (XRD), grazing incidence diffraction (GID), Roman spectroscopy (RS), other spectroscopic techniques like X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), reflection electron energy-loss spectroscopy (REELS) and advanced combined applications of synchrotron based mu-X-ray diffraction/mu-X-ray fluorescence (SR-mu XRD/mu XRF) can be used for assessing weathering and biodeterioration effects on materials (such as stone buildings, metallic artefacts, pigments, mixtures, and processes) of cultural property. Molecular biology techniques to identify the microbial components of biofilms are also described. Different examples of the use of these methods in the field of cultural property preservation are presented.