Which of the following statements is correct ?

Options

A. Cro-magnon man's fossil has been found in Ethiopia
B. Homo erectus is the ancestor of man
C. Neanderthal man is the direct ancestor of Homo sapiens
D. Australopithecus is the real ancestor of modern man

Explanation

To determine which statement is correct regarding the evolution of man and fossils, we will analyze each option step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Evaluate the First Statement:**
- The statement claims that "Cro-Magnon man's fossil has been found in Ethiopia."
- **Analysis:** Cro-Magnon fossils were actually discovered in France, not Ethiopia. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

2. **Evaluate the Second Statement:**
- The statement claims that "Homo erectus is the ancestor of man."
- **Analysis:** While Homo erectus is an important species in human evolution, it is not considered the direct ancestor of modern humans (Homo sapiens). They lived around 1.9 million years ago and exhibited primitive traits. Thus, this statement is also incorrect.

3. **Evaluate the Third Statement:**
- The statement claims that "Neanderthal man is the direct ancestor of Homo."
- **Analysis:** Neanderthals are indeed closely related to modern humans and there is evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. This makes this statement correct.

4. **Evaluate the Fourth Statement:**
- The statement claims that "Australopithecus is the real ancestor of modern man."
- **Analysis:** Australopithecus is an extinct group of primates that are not direct ancestors of modern humans. They were more ape-like and do not represent the lineage leading to Homo sapiens. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

### Conclusion:
The only correct statement among the options provided is: **"Neanderthal man is the direct ancestor of Homo."**