Final answer:
The evolution of hominins starts with Australopithecus around 3.9 million years ago, leading to species like Homo habilis and Homo erectus, and culminating with Homo sapiens around 200,000 years ago. The hominin fossil record is replete with various branches, some of which are not direct ancestors to modern humans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct order of evolution of hominids, or more specifically hominins, is a complex subject due to the fact that the fossil record is not entirely complete, and new discoveries continuously add to our understanding. Nonetheless, we have a broad understanding of how hominins have evolved over time. The earliest known hominids are found in the late Miocene, with the genus Australopithecus appearing about 3.9 million years ago, which showed traits such as bipedalism and simple tool-making. Transitional species such as Homo habilis and Homo erectus followed, which displayed further advancements such as larger brain size and more sophisticated tools. Our own species, Homo sapiens, emerged around 200,000 years ago in Africa and is currently the only surviving species of hominins. It is important to note that the hominin fossil record reveals a complex web of species, with several extinct lineages that were contemporaneous and did not directly contribute to modern human ancestry. The timeline of hominid evolution is delineated by a number of important milestones, including the move from arboreal lifestyles to a ground-based existence, the advent of bipedalism, increase in brain size, and the development of complex tools and cultural behavior.