The necropolis of Amarna was used for only a very short period of time and therefore presents a unique opportunity for a 'snapshot' of private tomb architecture. In this study the archaeological material of the Amarna private tombs is processed, categorized and compared to the simultaneous and topical tombs at Thebes. The comparison (supported by the examination of the wall decoration) shows similarities as well as differences, making it possible to work out characteristics and development in the private tomb architecture at Amarna. The analysis shows clearly that in spite of the small time-frame tomb architecture did not remain entirely consistent, but was rich in variation and development and lived up to the new ideas of religion.