In 2650 B.C.E., the streets of Memphis were alive with a cacophony of sounds and rich aromas. The rhythmic clatter of artisans’ tools mingled with the shouts of merchants and the chatter of bustling crowds. The chanting of priests performing rituals added a sacred undertone to the atmosphere.

The air was filled with the earthy smell of wet Nile mud and freshly baked bread from nearby bakeries. The fragrant aroma of spices, incense, and perfumes from the bustling markets blended with the more pungent scents of livestock and crops. Boats on the Nile carried the distinct odor of river silt and transported goods, while the occasional breeze brought the sweet smell of flowering plants from the surrounding fields.