In the vicinity of the Johannesburg archaeologists have found the oldest settlement south of Egypt. It has been estimated that this settlement is about 10 000 to 15 000 years old.   As there were no fossils, the age of the settlement could only be determined by taking into consideration the tools that were found. Amongst the findings were football-sized rocks that were arranged in a half circle. It is thought that these rocks were used to weigh down branches, and in this way, a roof was created.   A similar settlement was found in France. The findings there are estimated at being 100 000 years old. An explanation as to why there is such a gap between these two settlements is the mild climate in South Africa.