This study investigates the iron oxide chemistry and mineralogy of two relict paleosols, a Ferri-Endostagnic Lixisol (Bathiplinthic) and a Profondi-Endostagnic Luvisol (Chromic). The estimated inception of their pedogenesis is Early Pleistocene. The two paleosols belong to the same geomorphic body, but are found at different elevations and have experienced different hydrology expressed as either dark red or mottled dominant colors throughout their profile. We hypothesized that the difference in color reflected a recent transformation of iron oxides that were mainly formed in the past. The aim of the research was to discriminate recent from relict soil forming processes by evaluating iron oxide composition, soluble forms, and geochemistry. In the studied profiles hematite and goethite (αFeOOH) are the main iron oxides. Their fate depends on the present pedogenic conditions. Both hematite and goethite are a source of iron for recently synthesized iron oxides (feroxyhyte (δ′FeOOH) and Fe-protophases), but hemati