The Shang worshipped a figure they called "Shang Ti", or "Lord On High" . This supreme god ruled over lesser gods of the sun, the moon, the rain and other natural forces and places. Shang Ti also regulated human affairs as well as ruling material universe. This dual function would, in the Chou dynasty, be attributed to a more abstract figure, "tíen" or "Heaven".
The Shang also believed that their ancestors dwelled in heaven after their death and continued to show an interest in their family a descendants. The obligations within the family included, therefore , the ancestors. Failing in one's duties to the ancestors could bring all sorts of disaster on a family.
All these divine and semi-divine figures, from Shang Ti to a family's ancestors were sacrificed to. However, we know little of the nature and frequency of these sacrifices.
We do know, however that in the Chou dynasty only the king could sacrificed to Shang Ti, it is highly likely that Shang Ti was the"local king" of the Shang kings who was subsequently elevated in order to elevate the Shang themselves. Lesser were sacrificed at the founding of a palace or temple.
Information taken from
http://wsu.edu/~dee/ANCCHINA/SHANG.HTM
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