Scientists long thought that Neanderthals were avid meat eaters. Based on chemical analysis of Neanderthal remains, it seemed like they'd been feasting on as much meat as apex predators such as lions and hyenas. But as a group, hominins—that's Neanderthals, our species and other extinct close relatives—aren't specialized flesh eaters. Rather, they're more omnivorous, eating plenty of plant foods, too.