Final answer:
Evidence from fossilized remains and predator interaction at archaeological sites indicate that leopards likely hunted early hominids, supported by studies such as those by Lee-Thorp and findings at Zhoukoudian.
Step-by-step explanation:
We determined that leopards likely hunted early hominids through paleoanthropological and archaeological evidence, such as fossilized remains with signs of predation and archaeological sites with traces of human and large predator interaction. For instance, research by Lee-Thorp et al. and the discovery of remains at locations like Zhoukoudian, where both early hominid fossils and evidence of predators like hyenas are found, suggest such interactions. Additionally, cave paintings and other forms of prehistoric art offer indirect evidence of the presence and behavioral patterns of predators such as leopards in relation to early humans.