Crossword Genius

Hours in transit leading to former trading hub (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

carthage

'former trading hub' is the definition.
(ancient city)

'hours in transit' is the wordplay.
'hours' becomes 'h'.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'transit' becomes 'cartage' (process of carrying in a cart).
'h' put inside 'cartage' is 'CARTHAGE'.

'leading to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for carthage that I've seen before include "It fought the Punic wars against ancient Rome" , "Ancient Tunisian city" , "Chart age of Dido's ancient city" , "Phoenician city state near modern Tunis" , "Ancient N. African city" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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