Restoration 1920's Wood Sculpture checking

[Mud]

I came across a 1920's wood sculpture 24" high, made from a telephone pole size base. Subject is African Vulture. Entire piece has checking of 1/16 and 1/32 wide to 3" or 4" depth going towards center.

Wood is very dry from Arizona Sun and the wood is lighter in weight than it should be, but it is not to a dry rot state or anything near that.

I need to re-oil or preserve it somehow. Then I want to seal or keep it from drying out again. And last, I need to fill and cement together, 2 large cracks 1/4" wide and 4" deep towards center, that run 1/2 way from bottom to middle of piece. (I do not want the piece to break apart in half.)

Where do I start, and what chemicals should I use 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.????
Please help if you have any ideas.

[Mitchell]

If you use the "search" function, you may be able to find some previous discussion.

I'll try to find something and link it here.

[Mitchell]

Here's one:

Repairing Drying Checks

[Mud]

Thanks for the info on checking. That is great. Now, what about the preservation or restoration of the dry wood???. I want to leave the carving in the original natural wood look (no stain and no paint color)..