In the context of brain zero is much older than 7th century. Buddhist philosophy revolves around "Shunyaataa" (Zeroness - Shunya means zero in Sanskrit). Shunya itself comes from the root Svi - empty/hollow.
In the context of brain, Buddhism and various branches of Hinduism spent a lot of time pondering. Several meditative techniques involve meditating over this hollowness or the ultimate absence.
I do know that Zero the numerical placeholder is different from Buddhist idea of "Zeroness" but in the context of brain it should be similar I feel. Absence of something means cardinality of zero but Buddhists literally asked this question about reality itself.
In the context of brain, Buddhism and various branches of Hinduism spent a lot of time pondering. Several meditative techniques involve meditating over this hollowness or the ultimate absence.
I do know that Zero the numerical placeholder is different from Buddhist idea of "Zeroness" but in the context of brain it should be similar I feel. Absence of something means cardinality of zero but Buddhists literally asked this question about reality itself.