Menopause is incredibly rare in nature. Most animals die soon after their reproductive capability comes to an end. Aside from humans, only four species of wild animal are known to go through a form of menopause: orcas, narwhals, beluga whales and pilot whales. These animals might shed light on why menopause exists at all.
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I've always assumed it's because the elderly are valuable assets in hunter/gatherer societies. Clans that had access to more knowledge/memory were more likely to survive in lean times.
There are examples in early hominid skeletons that the injured were nursed back to health and cared for.
