I found my old iPhone 4s

See these two links:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

On the Activation Lock page is a hint at the email address you used. It has the first letter and the domain. Something like this r******@yahoo.com That would be the email you used at that time.

Please read the information provided in this link carefully and follow the procedure listed to reset the pass code to your iPhone.

If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple Support

Hope the procedure works out for you and solves your issue.

Axel F.

I could be wrong but I don't think the email still has to be active.

The email does NOT need to still be in use. That IS the Apple ID, which you need to enter and then enter the password you used.