Anna, the Vedic concept of zero is generally attributed to Indian culture, as the concept is much larger than just fulfilling the role of a place holder, and here is perhaps why India is historically given credit for the development as opposed to other cultures. "Zero" functions as an obvious place-holder in our own base-ten numerical system of mathematics, but if we used a different base of numerology, the concept would lose significance. In fact, the idea of a place-holder is entirely theoretical, as a system of numerology could in fact have a hypothetical infinite number of symbols to represent each place of standing within said numerology.
As the Vedic conception stands, "zero" functions as MUCH more than just a place-holder, but a concept for the idea of "nothing" as can result from mathematical computations. At the broadest interpretation, zero is akin to the mythical conception of "Om," or a certain understanding of unity with the divine. More importantly, it puts the entire concept of numerology in a linear fashion whereby which numerology can be expressed as both positive and negative functions of values, whereby "zero" functions as a balancing point at the pendulum of this scale. This is a RADICAL way of thinking about numbers, if you can step outside of our current conception and look at the historical development of mathematics.
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