>>“We can trace the origins of our lineage to Africa between 5 million and 7 million years ago. ...

There is some fossil evidence of earlier bipedal hominids in what is now southern Europe and beneath the Mediterranean. There are even some footprints found in Crete that can be dated to the late Miocene (the Trachilos footprints).

These footprints indicate not just a big toe that's migrated from the side to the front, but the foot has a ball and weight goes from the outside edge to inside part of the ball, then the big toe. Also, an elongated heel and the toes become smaller as you progress away from the big toe (un ape-like). No arches, though.