Before that point, there is evidence of continuous human habitation since very ancient times.

There are still large cultivated fields of yams, manioc and coconut trees on this island, which are used by neighboring islanders from Gadhdhoo The origin of the word "Gan" is in the Sanskrit word "Grama", meaning "village".

There are several ancient Buddhist ruins on this island, including one of the largest stupas in the Maldives: Thor Heyerdahl visited this island and investigated one of the ruined stupas there in the 1980s accompanied by Mohamed Lutfi.

This included the foundation of the perimeter of the vihara or temple compound.

A folklore talks about the island becoming inhabited with the arrival of some majestic beasts.