Before the development of writing what technique was used to preserve stories about the past

Me a slaveowner who worked a slave to death or be a slave to death, a. cannot be tried for murder in criminal court but could be sued for wrongful death in the civil court b. cannot be tried in court because there was no law against the mistreatment of slaves. c. could have his form or plantation confiscated by the state and sold to the highest bidder. d. could be tried for murder in most southern states.