The most ancient discoveries in Gannat, ancestors of the rhinoceros from the end of the Oligocene and start of the Miocene, date back 23 million years.

Also found are fossils of fish, reptiles, tortoises, crocodiles, galliform birds, mammals, marsupials, insectivores, rodents and carnivores.

The most complete rhinoceros skeleton was discovered in 1993 when significant fossils were uncovered at the Sichaux quarry by paleontologist François Escuillié (notable discoverer of a small proboscidian mammal, ancestor of the elephant from 50 million years ago).

Deposits at Clos de Montsala have revealed bifaces and bone fragments indicating the presence of hunters around 300,000 years ago.

After the resistance of the Gauls at Gergovie and the defeat of Vercingétorix at Alésia in 52BC, Gannat was occupied by Romans interested in the riches of the Limagne.

Urban centres developed, as well as roads, linking Clermont to Menat, Biozat, Vichy, Gannat, Bègues and Chantelle.