Homo erectus is the ancestor of man (not the direct ancestor of modern man). It includes three fossils: Java Ape-man, Peking man and Heidelberg man. Neanderthal man is the direct ancestor of Cro-magnon man which in turn is the direct anceston of modern man. Fossils of Cro-magnon were discovered from France. Australopithecus is the first ape man.