The civilization credited with the invention of zero is the ancient Indian mathematicians, particularly during the Gupta period around the 5th century CE. The concept of zero as a numeral and its use as a placeholder revolutionized mathematics, allowing for advanced calculations and the development of the decimal number system. This invention enabled further innovations in mathematics and science. The work of scholars like Brahmagupta, who defined rules for arithmetic with zero, contributed to its acceptance and helped spread the idea to the Islamic world and Europe, profoundly influencing global mathematics and its applications.