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A shell standing for nothing.
Also known as: Shell zero, Maya zero
The Maya sign for zero, drawn as a stylised shell and used as a positional placeholder.
Marks an empty position in a Maya positional number or date.
Contexts: Mathematics, History
One of a small number of independent inventions of a positional zero anywhere in the world, and in use centuries before the concept reached Europe.
Contexts: Mathematics, History
Drawn as a shell rather than as a dot or a gap, which makes the absence of quantity a positive mark on the page — a notational decision, not an omission.
Contexts: Mathematics, History
A rounded shell form with internal curved lines suggesting a spiral chamber, occupying a full numeral cell.