Ammut, also known as Ammit, was an important aspect of the judgement of the dead. Ammut has the head of a crocodile, the front legs and torso of a lion, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus. Ammut is found next to the scales of justice in Duat.
During the ‘Weighing of the Heart’ ceremony, the heart of the deceased soul would be weighed against a feather of Ma’at. Ma’at is the goddess of harmony, justice, truth, and order. If the heart weighs the same or less than the feather, the soul of the dead is allowed to pass to the next trial.
If the heart weighs more than the feather, then Ammut devours the heart. There are no second chances. Ancient Egyptians believed that the soul existed in three parts- the Ba, Ka, and Akh. If any part of the soul is damaged or destroyed, everlasting peace is denied to the soul. With Ammut devouring the heart, the soul was condemned to wander restlessly forever.
Ammut was not a goddess that was worshipped in Ancient Egypt. She is a combination of the three most dangerous large animals to humans found within Egypt and is the embodiment of the Ancient Egyptians fears.